Automatic self-centering roll



Oct. 26, 1954 E, T,L0R|G 2,692,773

AUTOMATIC SELF-CENTERING ROLL Filed March 8, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l ibi/fam@ oct. 26, 1954 E T, QR|G 2,692,773

AUTOMATIC sELF-CENTERING BOLL Filed March 8, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 7?@ 75 lawenlmf:

Fusie! M y@ @WW me@ Oct'. 26, 1954 E, T, LQRlG 2,692,773

' I AUTOMATIC SELF-CENTERING ROLL Filed March 8, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIC-L13., X'Y ai I e2 Patented Oct. 26, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC SELF-CENTERING ROLL Application March 8, 1951, Serial No. 214,493

(Cl. ZTI-2.6)

21 Claims. l

This invention relates to an automatic selfcentering roll and is a continuation-impart of my copending application, Serial No. 145,648, led February 23, 1950, now Patent No. 2,593,158.

It is an object of my invention to provide an automatic self-centering roll which is particularly suitable for high speeds such as 4000` feet per minute.

Another object is to provide such a roll which is particularly suitable for long bodied rolls regardless of their diameter.

These and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional View of a roll of my invention;

Figure 2 is a View taken on the line II-lI of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view taken on the line `III- III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view, similar to Figure l showing a slight modification of my invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a View, similar to Figure 1, showing a further modification of my invention;

Figure 7 is a View taken in the direction of the arrow 1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view taken on the line VIII- VIII of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary View showing a slight modification of Figure 6;

Figure l is a view, similar to Figure l, showing another modification of my device;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view taken on the line XI-XI of Figure '10;

Figure l2 is a fragmentary View showing the roll of Figure 10 in a different position;

Figure 13 is a sectional view, similar to Figure 1, showing another embodiment -of my invention;

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13;

Figure l is a sectional view, similar to Figure 13, showing a slight modification thereof;

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken on the line XVI- XVI of Figure 15; and

Figure 17 is a fragmentary View vof an element of the rolls of Figures 13 and '15.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, reference numeral Zindicates a shaft supported in bearings 4. Keyed to each end of the shaft 2, adjacent the bearings 4, is a web portion 6 having a shoulder `8 around its periphery. A 4pair `of frusto Vconical rims I0 surround the shaft `2 with their large diameter ends adjacent veach other and their small diameter ends bearing lagainst the shoulder B. The adjacent ends of the rims l0 have inwardly extending flanges I2 thereon. The web B is provided with four equally spaced holes i4 around its periphery which are in alignment with holes I6 in the flanges I2. Tension bolts or rods I6 pass through the aligned holes I4 and I 6. There is close clearance between the tension bolts I8 and the holes I6 and a greater clearance between the tension bolts I8 and the holes I4. If desired the small diameter ends of the rims Il] may be welded to the web 6. While four tension rods I8 are shown, three or more such rods may be used depending on the size of the centering roll and the load to be carried. The tensioning rods should be pulled up tight with approximately the same tension on each rod. The amount of tension may be varied in order to vary the deflection of the roll under load. When a strip S to be centered passes over or partially around the roll, the portion of the rims in contact with the strip deflects inwardly toward the center of rotation of the roll. The bolt or bolts I8 opposite the line of load application are stretched slightly to permit roll deection.

The roll shown in Figures 4 and 5 is identical with that of Figure l except that a groove 2li is provided in the large diameter end of each of the rims I0 for receiving a gasket 22 which prevents infiltration of oil or other material into the interior of the roll.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figures 6 to 8, a shaft 24 is mounted in bearings 26. The shaft 24 has a, web portion 28 keyed to each end thereof. A pair of frusto conical rims 3U are mounted on the webs 28 with their large diameter ends adjacent each other. The inner end of each of the rims 3U lis provided with an undercut portion 32 for receiving a ring 34 which has a number of holes 36 spaced around its periphery for receiving tension bolts 38. The outer end of each of the rims 30 has a tapered counterbored portion 4l] for receiving a ring 42 which has a number of holes 44 therein. Part of the holes M are in alignment with the holes 36 in the rings 34. The `tension bolts 38 pass through the holes 35 and M. Each of the web portions 28 are provided with holes i6 for receiving the heads and nuts of the bolts 38. Each of the rim portions 28 is also provided with a number of threaded openings 48 which are in alignment with 'holes 59 in the rings 42. A screw 52 is threaded into the openings 48 with its ends extending into the hole 511 in order to cause the rims 30 to rotate in unison. The operation of this roll is essentially the same as shown in Figure l.

Figure 9 shows a slight modification of the roll of Figure 6 in which the rings 34 are omitted and Ved for rotation in bearings 86. Y and 88 are keyed to the ends of shaft 84.

the adjacent ends of the rims 38 are provided with a male and female joint 54 in order to hold the parts in alignment.

Figures to 12 show another embodiment of my invention in which frusto conical rims 56 and 58 are supported on shafts or trunnions 68 and 62 for rotation in bearings 64 and 66. The large diameter end of the rim 56 is provided with a tongue 68 which is received in a complementary groove 18 in the large diameter end of rim 58. The adjacent ends of the rims 56 and 58 are provided with radial flanges 12 having a number of aligned holes 18 therein for receiving bolts T6. A spring washer 18 is received under the head of each of the bolts 16. Hand holes 88 are provided in the web portions of the rims 56 and 58 to permit insertion of the bolts 16. The bolts 16 hold the two halves of the roll together with sufficient clearance between the bolts and the holes toprevent binding. The spring washer 18 provides for a slight elongation between the head and the nut of the bolts to secure a slight deflection of the roll under load. The bolts also cause the rims 56 and 58 to rotate in unison. The tongue and groove arrangement 68 and 'l0 maintains the rims of the roll in alignment. The operation of this roll is essentially the same as that of the other embodiments. When not under load, there is a uniform clearance 82 between the ends of the two rims. When load is applied to the roll, a portion of the roll adjacent the load will have very little clearance between the rim portions, while the diametrically opposite portion of the roll will have larger clearance as shown in Figure 12. This figure also shows how the spring washer 18 is depressed to permit deflection of the roll.

Figures 13 and 14 show another embodiment of my invention in which a roll shaft 84 is mount- Web portions 88 A frusto conical rim portion 92 is mounted on web portion 88 and a similar frusto conical rim portion 84 is mounted on web portion 88. Radial ring members 86 and 98 are welded to the rim portions 82 and 88, respectively, in spaced apart relationship. A rubber sandwich ring |88 extends around the shaft between the rings 86 and 98. A bronze aligning ring |82 surrounds the periphery of the sandwich ring |88 between the rings 86 and 98. As shown in Figure 17, the aligning ring |82 has a plurality of transverse slots |84 therein which extend substantially half-way through the width of the ring with alternate slots facing in opposite directions. A sliding joint |06 is provided between the ends of the ring |02. The sandwich ring is held in place and the two parts of the roll are held together by means of bolts |88 which extend through holesin the rings 86, 98 and |88 to the web portions 88 and 88. As clearly shown, alternate bolts |88 are fastened to web portion 88 and the remaining bolts |88 are fastened to the web 90. This roll operates in substantially the same manner as that shown in Figure 1 and is particularly suitable for heavy loads. The rubber sandwich ring |88 permits limited deflection of the roll surface by compression against the shaft 84 under load. The aligning ring |82 holds the halves of the roll shaft in alignment while rotating under load.

Figures and 16 show a slight modification of the roll of Figure 13. This roll is identical with the roll of Figure 13 except that the tension bolts 88 are replaced by short tension bolts I8 which pass through the rings 86, 98 and |88,

While several embodiments of my invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for postioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaXially opposed frustoconical rotatable rims over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft portion connecting said shaft sections, a shaft extension for at least one of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to be supported in bearing means, the large diameter ends of said rims being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at the points or lines of contact with the moving obj ect on the approach side, an operative connection between the small diameter end of each of said rims and the adjacent shaft sections, means extending inwardly from each of said rims, and spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft sections through said last named means for urging the large diameter ends of said rims toward each other.

2. Apparatus for automatically centering a moving object according to claim 1., in which means are povided for keeping the outer surfaces of the large diameter ends of the rims in alignment.

3. Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed frustoconical rotatable rims over which the obj ect passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft portion connecting said shaft sections, a shaft extension for at least one of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to be supported in bearing means, the large diameter ends of said rims being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at the points or lines of c-ontact with the moving object on the approach side, an operative connection between the small diameter end of each of said rims and the adjacent shaft section, said connection including a web portion for supporting the small diameter end of each of said rims, and spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft sections through said web portions.

4. Apparatus for automatically centering a moving object according to claim 3, in which means are provided for keeping the outer surfaces of the large diameter ends of the rims in alignment.

5. Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaXially opposed frustoconical rotatable rims over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft portion connecting said shaft sections, a shaft extension for at least one of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to be supported in bearing means, the large diameter ends of said rims being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at the points or lines of contact with the moving object on the approach side, an operative connection between the small diameter end of each of said rims and the adjacent shaft section, said connection including a web portion for supporting the small diameter end `of each of said rims, a flange extending inwardly from the `large diameter end of each of said rims, and `spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft 4sections through said web portions and said flanges.

6. Apparatus for `automatically centering a moving object according to claim l5, in which means are provided for keeping the outer sur faces of the large diameter ends fof the rims in alignment.

7. Apparatus for positioning a movin r object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed fr-ustoconical rotatable rims over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of `the rims, the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft portion connecting said shaft sections, a shaft extension for at least one of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to be supported in bearing means, the large diameter ends of said rims being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at the points or lines of Contact with the moving object on the approach side, `an operative lconnection between the small diameter end of each of said rims land the adjacent shaft section, said connection including a web portion for supporting the small diameter end of each of said rims, a ring adjacent each of said web portions, spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft sections through `said rings, and driving means connecting each of said web portions to the ring adjacent thereto.

8. Apparatus for automatically centering a moving object according to claim '7, in which means are provided for keeping the outer surfaces of the large `diameter ends of the rims in alignment.

9, Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed frustoconical rotatable rims over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft portion connecting said shaft sections, a shaft extension for at least one of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to lbe supported in bearing means, the large diameter ends of said rims'being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at the points or lines of contact with the moving obj-ect on the approach `side, van operative connection between the small diameter `end of each of said rims and the adjacent shaft section, said connection including a web portion for supporting the small diameter end of each of said rims, a ring adjacent each of said web portions, a ring bearing against the inner sur* face of each of the large diameter end of said rims, spaced apart tension bolts extending .substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft sections through said rings, and driving means connecting each of said web portions to the ring adjacent thereto.

10. Apparatus for automatically centering a moving object according to claim 9, which means are provided for keeping the outer surfaces of the large diameter ends of the rims in alignment.

ll. Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed fructoconical rotatable rims over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, the large diameter ends of' said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft portion connecting said shaft sections, a sha-ft extension for at least one of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to be supported in bearing means, the large diameter ends of said rims being 4irrovabl'e toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively `at the points or lines of contact with the moving object on the approach side, an operative connection between the small diameter end of each of said rims and the adjacent shaft section, said connection including a web portion for supporting the small diameter end of each of said rims, a ring adjacent each of said web portions, and spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to the axis `of said shaft sections through said rings.

12. Apparatus for automatically centering a moving object according to claim 11 in which means are provided for keeping the outer surfaces of the large diameter ends of the rims in alignment.

13. Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed frustoconical rotatable rims over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft portion connecting said shaft sections, a vshaft extension for at least one of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to be supported in bearing means, the large diameter ends of said rims being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at `the points or lines of contact with the moving object on the approach side, an operative connection between the small diameter end of 'each of said rims and the adjacent shaft section, said 'connection including ya web portion for supporting the small diameter end of each of said rims, an inwardly extending flange fastened to each of said rims a short distance from the large diameter end thereof, an elastic ring between fs'aid flanges, and spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to said shaft sections through said flanges and ring.

Apparatus for automatically centering a moving `object according to claim 13, in which means are provided for :keeping the Acute-r surfaces of the large diameter ends of the rims in alignment.

l5. Apparatus for Vpositioning a moving object `comprising va pair of -coaxially 4opposed frustaconical `rotatable over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each othenspaced coaxial shaft sections, .a shaft extension for each of `said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to be supported in bear-ing means, the large diameter ends of said rims being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at the points or lines of contact with themoving object on the approach side, an operative connection between the small diameter and of each of said rims and the adjacent shaft sections, 4means extending linwardly from each of said rims, and spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to the .axis `of said shaft sections through said ylast named means for urging the large diameter ends of said rims toward each other.

16. `Apparatus 4for positioning a moving ob- 7 ject comprising a pair of coaxially opposed frusto-conical rotatable rims over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft extension for each of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to be supported in bearing means, the large diameter ends of said rims being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at the points or lines of contact with the moving object on the approach side, an operative connection between the small diameter end of each of said rims and the adjacent shaft section, said connection including a web portion for supporting the small diameter end of each of said rims, and spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft sections through said web portions.

17. Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed frustoconical rotatable rims over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft extension for each of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to be supported in bearing means, the large diameter ends of said rims being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at the points or lines of contact with the moving object on the approach side, an operative connection between the small diameter end of each of said rims and the adjacent shaft section, said connection including a web portion for supporting the small diameter end of each of said rims, a flange extending inwardly from the large diameter end of each of said rims, and spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft sections through said web portions and said flanges.

18. Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed frustoconical rotatable rims over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft extension for each of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to be supported in bearing means, the large diameter ends of said rims being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at the points or lines of contact with the moving object on the approach side, an operative connection between the small diameter end of each of said rims and the adjacent shaft section, said connection including a web portion for supporting the small diameter end of each of said rims, a ring adjacent each of said web portions, spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft sections through said rings, and driving means connecting each of said web portions to the ring adjacent thereto.

19. Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed frustoconical rotatable rims over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft extension for each of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to be supported in bearing means, the large diameter ends of said rims being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at the points or lines of contact with the moving object on ythe approach side, an operative connection between the small diameter end of each of said rims and the adjacent shaft section, said connection including a web portion for supporting the small diameter end of each of said rims, a ring adjacent each of said web portions, a ring bearing against the inner surface of the large diameter end of each of said rims, spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft sections through said rings, and driving means connecting each of said web portions to the ring adjacent thereto.

29. Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed frustoconical rotatable rims over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft extension for each of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond sa-id rims and adapted to be supported in bearing means, the large diameter ends of said rims being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at the points or lines of contact with the moving object on the approach side, an operative connection between the small diameter end of each of said rims and the adjacent shaft section, said connection including a web portion for supporting the small diameter end of each of said rims, a ring adjacent each of said web portions, and spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft sections .through said rings.

2l. Apparatus for positioning a moving object comprising a pair of coaxially opposed frustoconical rotatable rims over which the object passes in a direction transverse to the axes of the rims, 'the large diameter ends of said rims being adjacent each other, spaced coaxial shaft sections, a shaft extension for each of said shaft sections extending outwardly beyond said rims and adapted to be supported in bearing means, 'the large diameter ends of said rims being movable toward the axis of said shaft sections progressively at the points or lines of contact with the moving object on the approach side, an operative connection between the small diameter end of each of said rims and the adjacent shaft section, said connection including a web portion for supporting the small diameter end of each of said rims, an inwardly extending flange fastened to each of said rims a short distance from the large diameter end thereof, an elastic ring between said flanges, and spaced apart tension bolts extending substantially parallel to said shaft sections through said flanges and ring.

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